As parents, we all want our children to grow up to be intelligent, thoughtful, and independent individuals. One of the most valuable skills we can help them develop is critical thinking – the ability to analyse, evaluate, and make reasoned decisions. In today’s world, where information is abundant but not always reliable, fostering critical thinking in children is more important than ever. This guide will explore what critical thinking is, why it matters, and how parents can encourage its development at home.
Understanding Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally while understanding the logical connections between ideas. It involves questioning information, solving problems, and making informed decisions rather than accepting things at face value.
Some key aspects of critical thinking include:
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Analysis – Breaking information down into parts to understand it better.
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Evaluation – Assessing the credibility and relevance of information.
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Inference – Drawing logical conclusions based on evidence.
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Problem-solving – Finding solutions through reasoning.
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Reflection – Thinking about one’s own thought process and improving it over time.
Children with strong critical thinking skills are better equipped to approach challenges with logic, curiosity, and resilience. These skills are also tested in 11+ exams through reasoning, problem-solving, and logical deduction questions.
Examples of Critical Thinking Questions in the 11+ Exam
1. Verbal Reasoning
Question: Find the odd one out: apple, kumquat, banana, carrot, papaya.
Answer: Carrot.
Explanation: Carrots are vegetables, while the other options are fruits.
2. Maths Problem-Solving
Question: A shop sells pens at 3 for £2. How much would 9 pens cost?
Answer: £6.
Explanation: Since 3 pens cost £2, multiplying by 3 (to get 9 pens) gives £6.
3. Logical Deduction
Question: A farmer has 17 sheep, and all but 9 run away. How many sheep does the farmer have left?
Answer: 9 sheep.
Explanation: The phrase “all but 9 run away” means 9 sheep remain.
4. Cause and Effect
Question: If roses are flowers and some flowers fade quickly, does it mean that all roses fade quickly?
Answer: No.
Explanation: The fact that some flowers fade quickly does not necessarily apply to all flowers, including roses.
How to Improve Critical Thinking Skills in Children
Encouraging critical thinking at home doesn’t require complex lessons. Small, daily interactions can help build this skill naturally. Here are some effective strategies:
1. Model Critical Thinking
Let your child see you evaluating information, making decisions, and solving problems. For example:
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"I’m looking at two phone plans. This one is cheaper, but the other has more data. Which do you think is the better deal?"
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"This news article says that eating chocolate makes you smarter. Do you think that’s true? How can we check?"
2. Encourage Independent Thinking
Give your child time to think rather than answering immediately. Allow them to struggle a bit with problems and come to their own conclusions. If they make a mistake, guide them with questions like:
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"What did you learn from this?"
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"How might you do it differently next time?"
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Encourage thoughtful discussions by asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer:
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"Why do you think that happened?"
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"What would you do if you were in that situation?"
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"Can you think of another way to solve this problem?"
4. Read and Discuss Together
Reading books, articles, or news stories with your child and discussing them is a great way to develop critical thinking. Ask questions like:
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"What was the main idea?"
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"What was the author’s point of view?"
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"Do you think this information is reliable?"
Example: Your child reads a newspaper article claiming that drinking lemon juice cures the flu.
- Critical Thinking Response: "Where did this information come from? Is this source trustworthy? What do doctors say about flu treatments?"
5. Solve Problems Together
Encourage your child to approach problems methodically by breaking them down into steps, looking for patterns, and making logical predictions.
Example: Question: A train leaves the station at 3:15 pm and arrives at its destination at 5:45 pm. If the journey is 150 miles, what is the average speed of the train?
Answer: 60 mph.
Explanation: The total journey time is 2.5 hours (from 3:15 pm to 5:45 pm). Speed = Distance ÷ Time, so 150 miles ÷ 2.5 hours = 60 mph.
6. Encourage Decision-Making
Give your child opportunities to make decisions, big or small, and discuss the reasoning behind their choices.
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"Should we take the bus or walk to the park?"
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"Which board game should we play? Why?"
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"How should we spend our family budget for a day out?"
The Role of Critical Thinking in the 11+ Exam
One part of the 11+ exam is comprehension, where critical thinking plays a vital role. Children must analyse characters’ motives, evaluate different viewpoints, and assess the reliability of information.
In mathematics, critical thinking is essential for problem-solving. Children must:
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Break down word problems into manageable steps.
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Look for patterns and make logical predictions.
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Explain their reasoning behind mathematical solutions.
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Evaluate different methods to solve problems and choose the most efficient one.
By integrating these practices into daily life, children develop the ability to approach the 11+ exam with confidence and skill.
Final Thoughts
Critical thinking is a crucial skill that helps children navigate life, make better decisions, and understand the world more deeply. By encouraging questioning, problem-solving, and thoughtful discussions, parents can foster strong critical thinkers. Simple daily practices – like asking open-ended questions, discussing different perspectives, and allowing independent decision-making – can go a long way in developing this ability.
Remember, critical thinking is not about what to think, but how to think – and that is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.
Chris Pearse is a qualified Primary School Teacher with 10 years' experience in teaching. He started Teachitright in 2006 to provide support for children taking secondary school exams
and is passionate about helping children achieve their potential whilst enjoying education. Across a number of years, he has written a comprehensive series of 11+ books with Collins
titled 'Support and Practice Workbooks'. This series won the prestigious award of Best Educational Resources for Tuition at the National Tutoring Awards 2023.